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On 31 July, 2009, the 76-year-old former Ipswich, England, Barcelona and Newcastle manager died from lung cancer and the football world mourned the loss of a great, with Sir Alex Ferguson among those leading the tributes at the time.

“There is not a person I would put an inch above Bobby Robson,” the legendary Manchester United boss said.

Robson worked with some of the game’s biggest names and was loved by them all. Here, talkSPORT.com looks at quotes that sum the great man up.

Ronaldo

Possibly one of the greatest strikers ever spent just a season under Robson, but he left a lasting impact on the Brazilian.

“I’m proud to have worked with him. He was an awesome coach and an awesome person. He was like a father to me.

“I have had a lot of managers in football but the difference between all of them and Sir Bobby was his humanity and the relationships he had with the players. He was always like a father to everyone.

“At Barcelona he spoke to me in Portuguese because, at the time, my English wasn’t good. He was very patient.

“I remember there were a lot of players for Barcelona from different countries at that time and Sir Bobby managed us all and brought us together. It didn’t matter what language you spoke or what colour you were. He was great.”

Pep Guardiola

Midfielder Guardiola played for Barcelona under Robson and his sacking in 1997 saddened the Manchester City manager.

“After the purge in Barcelona, he went to Newcastle [in 1999] and I sent him a letter to offer me the chance to go to him and play at Newcastle.”

“One of my dreams would have been to have played in England.

“He answered me and said it was not possible because he had a lot of quality and he was right, but, even in that tough moment, he was always so kind.

“He wrote a simple letter and it was like it meant so much more. Bobby is one of the nicest people I have ever met in my life.”

Jose Mourinho

He began life as Robson’s translator before becoming his assistant and a coach in his own right.